San Bernardino Truck Accident Lawyers Fighting For California Families
Our Skilled Attorneys Hold Commercial Trucking Companies Accountable
An 18-wheeler barreling down the 215. A delivery truck making a wide turn off Waterman Avenue. A semi parked illegally near a loading dock. In San Bernardino, truck and commercial vehicle accidents can occur quickly and have devastating consequences. These crashes often involve catastrophic injuries, totaled vehicles, and overwhelming financial pressure.
Oaks Law Firm stands with victims and families throughout San Bernardino and the San Fernando Valley, taking on powerful trucking companies and insurance carriers to demand real accountability and full compensation.
We secured a $1 million policy limit settlement for a victim who suffered a chest crush injury after being pinned between a truck and a loading dock. This is just one example of the results we fight for. When you need a San Bernardino truck accident lawyer who listens and delivers, we’re ready.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a truck accident in San Bernardino, contact us for a free consultation. We make it easier to take the next step forward.
FAQs About Truck Accident Claims in San Bernardino
Liability in a truck accident isn’t always straightforward, and getting the right information from a trusted legal authority matters. The FAQ below is designed to help victims and families understand how liability works, what affects their case, and why experienced guidance can make all the difference.
- What should I do if I was seriously injured in a truck accident in San Bernardino?
- Who can be held liable in a commercial truck accident in San Bernardino County?
- What causes most rear-end truck crashes?
- How are fatal truck accidents investigated?
- What is an underride truck accident?
- Who is responsible in a rollover or jackknife crash?
- Can I file a claim if I was hit by a delivery truck from Amazon, UPS, or FedEx?
- How are truck accident claims different from regular car accident cases?
- What kind of evidence helps prove liability in a truck crash?
- Can multiple companies be held responsible in a crash involving a commercial motor vehicle?
- How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?
- What compensation is available after a truck accident?
- What should I know about dealing with the trucking company’s insurance?
- Do truck drivers and carriers have to follow special safety rules?
- How can a San Bernardino truck accident lawyer help me?
What should I do if I was seriously injured in a truck accident in San Bernardino?
A serious truck crash can leave you disoriented, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next. Taking the right steps immediately after the accident, and in the days that follow, can make a major difference in your physical recovery and legal claim. Key steps to take after a truck accident injury include:
- Get emergency medical attention: Don’t downplay symptoms. Many injuries, including those that are internal or spinal, are delayed in onset.
- Document the scene: If possible, take photos of vehicles, road conditions, debris, and any skid marks.
- Request a police report: Truck accident reports contain details for proving fault.
- Avoid speaking with the trucking company’s insurer: Their goal is to limit payouts, not help you.
- Follow up on all medical care and keep records: Consistent treatment strengthens your case and protects your health.
When serious injuries are involved, it’s wise to speak with an attorney early. They can preserve evidence and protect your claim from the start.
Who can be held liable in a commercial truck accident in San Bernardino County?
In commercial truck accidents, the driver is rarely the only party involved. Several companies and contractors may share legal responsibility, and identifying all of them is essential to recovering full compensation. Parties that may be held liable include:
- The trucking company: For negligent hiring, poor training, or pushing unsafe delivery schedules.
- A freight broker or logistics company: If they contributed to overloaded or improperly secured cargo.
- The truck’s maintenance provider: When mechanical failure results from skipped inspections or poor repairs.
- A third-party vehicle or parts manufacturer: If defective components like brakes or tires contributed to the crash.
- Another motorist: In multi-vehicle pileups, a third driver may have caused the sequence of events.
A truck accident lawyer can conduct a detailed investigation to identify every source of liability, something insurance companies rarely do on your behalf.
What causes most rear-end truck crashes?
Rear-end truck accidents in San Bernardino are often caused by speeding, distracted driving, or brake failure. Because large trucks require more time and distance to stop, any delay in driver reaction can lead to devastating collisions.
Fault is usually assigned to the truck driver, but trucking companies often try to blame the victim or cite sudden stops as a defense. A lawyer can help gather black box data, crash reports, and traffic footage to show who was truly at fault.
How are fatal truck accidents investigated?
Fatal truck crashes require in-depth investigation and legal action to ensure accountability. These are high-stakes cases that involve both state and federal oversight, and families often don’t know where to begin. What typically happens after a fatal accident:
- Law enforcement and sometimes NTSB conduct scene investigations: Common in multi-fatality or commercial vehicle crashes.
- The coroner’s office examines cause of death: This is crucial in wrongful death claims.
- Crash reconstruction experts may be brought in: To determine speed, impact angle, and braking patterns.
- Truck logs, black box data, and maintenance records are reviewed: These often reveal safety violations or negligence.
- Surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit: Spouses, children, and sometimes parents are eligible under California law.
A lawyer can help families access the full picture and pursue justice without having to carry the burden alone.
What is an underride truck accident?
An underride accident occurs when a passenger vehicle crashes into and slides beneath the rear or side of a large truck. These crashes are often fatal because the point of impact can shear off the upper portion of the smaller vehicle, putting drivers and passengers at extreme risk.
They often happen on high-speed roads like the I-10 or 210 when a truck makes a sudden stop or merges without proper visibility. An attorney can investigate whether the truck was missing required underride guards or other safety features that could have prevented the severity of the crash.
Who is responsible in a rollover or jackknife crash?
Rollover and jackknife accidents are frequently linked to steep descents, heavy loads, and poor weather. While the truck driver may be partly responsible, the trucking company, cargo loaders, or maintenance contractors could also be liable.
These companies may have failed to inspect brakes, overloaded the vehicle, or pushed drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines. A legal team can uncover all contributing factors and pursue every responsible party to maximize the compensation available to victims and families.
Can I file a claim if I was hit by a delivery truck from Amazon, UPS, or FedEx?
Yes, if you were hit by a delivery truck, whether in traffic or in a neighborhood, you may have a strong claim for compensation. Crashes involving Amazon, UPS, or FedEx vehicles are increasingly common in residential areas and shopping corridors like Hospitality Lane or near Inland Center Mall. Depending on how the driver was hired and who controls the vehicle, liability could rest with the delivery company, the driver, or both. A lawyer can help determine who is responsible and handle negotiations with large corporate insurers.
How are truck accident claims different from regular car accident cases?
Truck accident cases might appear similar to car crashes, but they’re fundamentally more complex. Victims are often dealing with more serious injuries and more aggressive opposition from corporate insurers and legal teams. Key differences in truck accident claims include:
- Higher damages and insurance policies: Commercial carriers often have multi-million dollar policies and fight harder to avoid paying.
- Multiple layers of liability: Beyond the driver, companies, contractors, and manufacturers may all be involved.
- Regulatory oversight: Truckers and carriers must follow federal rules that don’t apply to regular drivers.
- More sophisticated insurance defense tactics: These companies often have legal teams working within hours of the crash.
- More evidence to gather: Including black box data, driver logs, inspection reports, and employment records.
Because of the stakes involved, having an experienced attorney gives victims a major advantage in both compensation and peace of mind.
What kind of evidence helps prove liability in a truck crash?
Establishing liability in a truck crash isn’t just about witness statements. It requires collecting the right evidence quickly. In cases involving driver fatigue, speeding, or cargo violations, this documentation can make or break your claim. Evidence in these cases includes:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) data: Shows how long the driver was behind the wheel and whether they violated rest rules.
- Black box data: Captures speed, braking, acceleration, and steering in the moments before the crash.
- Driver qualification and training records: May reveal a lack of certification or safety violations.
- Cargo manifests and weight logs: Overloaded trucks or improperly secured cargo often point to negligence.
- Surveillance, dashcam, or intersection footage: Visual evidence is often the most compelling for juries and insurers.
An experienced lawyer will move quickly to preserve this evidence, often before the trucking company can delete or modify it.
Can multiple companies be held responsible in a crash involving a commercial motor vehicle?
Many commercial truck accidents involve multiple liable parties, and identifying them is key to recovering full compensation. In addition to the driver, responsibility may extend to the trucking company, cargo loaders, vehicle maintenance providers, or even a third-party logistics company.
For example, if a truck jackknifes due to a mechanical failure and an overloaded trailer, both the repair company and shipper may share fault. Legal representation ensures these connections are uncovered and that no responsible party is left out of the claim.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?
In California, the deadline to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the crash or death. However, if the crash involved a government vehicle or city agency, a government claim must be filed within just six months.
These deadlines are strict, and missing them can mean losing your right to compensation altogether. An experienced lawyer can make sure everything is filed on time and help you navigate any exceptions or complications that may apply.
What compensation is available after a truck accident?
Long-term or permanent injuries can drastically change your life, and recovering full compensation means accounting for both the visible and invisible costs. Insurance companies rarely offer enough unless forced to. Damages available for long-term injury claims include:
- Past and future medical expenses: Including surgeries, rehabilitation, home care, and medication.
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity: Many victims can’t return to their previous jobs or hours.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional trauma, often lasting for years.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries limit hobbies, activities, or independence.
- Home modifications or mobility devices: Necessary for severe injuries like paralysis or limb loss.
Working with a lawyer ensures that every category of damages is calculated and supported with evidence, so nothing is left on the table.
What should I know about dealing with the trucking company’s insurance?
Trucking companies and their insurers don’t waste time, and neither should you. Within hours, they may have adjusters, investigators, or even lawyers working to minimize your claim. Here’s what to expect and watch out for:
- Early settlement offers: Usually far below the full value of your medical needs and long-term losses.
- Recorded statements: Used to twist your words or downplay the seriousness of your injuries.
- Blame-shifting tactics: Attempting to place partial fault on you to reduce payout.
- Delay strategies: Hoping you’ll give up or accept less out of frustration or financial pressure.
- Requests for unnecessary documents: Designed to confuse or overwhelm you.
Having legal representation sends a clear message: you’re serious, and you won’t settle for less than what you’re owed.
Do truck drivers and carriers have to follow special safety rules?
Yes, both California and federal law impose strict regulations on truck drivers and the companies that employ them. These rules are designed to prevent accidents caused by fatigue, poor maintenance, and unsafe practices. Key safety regulations include:
- Hours of Service (HOS) limits: Federal law restricts how long truckers can drive without rest.
- Drug and alcohol testing: Required after certain accidents and randomly during employment.
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance: Carriers must document regular safety checks.
- Weight and cargo securement rules: Overloading or shifting cargo is a common crash factor.
- Commercial driver licensing and training: Specific endorsements are required for various vehicle types.
When a violation of these rules contributes to a crash, it creates a strong basis for a liability claim when handled by an experienced attorney.
How can a San Bernardino truck accident lawyer help me?
Truck accidents often leave families dealing with catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, or financial ruin. An experienced truck accident lawyer brings not just legal skill, but clarity, support, and relentless advocacy. Here’s how a lawyer helps your recovery:
- Conducts a full investigation into fault and liability: While preserving crucial evidence early.
- Calculates the true value of your losses: Including long-term medical care and emotional suffering.
- Manages all communication with insurers and defendants: So you’re not misled, pressured, or overwhelmed.
- Brings in experts when needed: From accident reconstructionists to economists and medical specialists.
- Pursues justice through negotiation or litigation: With one goal, securing what your family needs to move forward.
You don’t have to handle this process alone. With the right attorney, the path to justice becomes more manageable. No matter how complex the case.
Let Our Skilled San Bernardino Truck Accident Attorneys Fight For You!
When a truck accident turns your world upside down, you need more than answers. You need an advocate. A San Bernardino truck accident lawyer at Oaks Law Firm will listen to your story, take on the fight, and pursue the compensation you and your family truly deserve. Consultations are free, and you pay no fees unless we win.
You’ve been through the hard part. Now let’s take the next step forward together. Contact Oaks Law Firm today!